Commercial and Homeowner Horticulture EducationPlan of Work

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Taylor County CES

Title:
Commercial and Homeowner Horticulture Education
MAP:
Enhancing Commercial & Consumer Hort. Advancement
Agents Involved:
Kara Back, Kimberly Thomas
MAJOR PROGRAM 1:
Local Food Systems
MAJOR PROGRAM 2:
Master Gardener
MAJOR PROGRAM 3:
Horticulture, Commercial
Situation:

Homeowners are wanting to have a more sustainable lifestyle by raising their own fruits and vegetables and caring for their landscape. There is also an increase in commercial horticulture to sell in produce auctions, and an increased interest in local food systems. Under the direction of the Extension Council and Farmers' Market, educational programs are needed to enhance these interests.

Long-Term Outcomes:

Improve food management skills and healthy eating habits through raising own foods, while commercial producers are sustaining profitability.


Help commercial growers reach profit sustainability, by providing educational opportunities to implement within their operations. 


Having a sustainable Farmers' Market.


Residents within the county will have the opportunity to participate in the Master Gardener's Program to gain education, which can be used to improve not only their own home / farm, but also the community through educational projects.  

Intermediate Outcomes:

Homeowners will implement best management practices to ensure a bountiful harvest.


Citizens have access to more local foods.


More households will plant, harvest, and preserve produce.


Commercial producers adopt recommended practices that lead to more profitability.


Increase number of patrons at Farmers' Markets.


Homeowners are motivated to improve landscapes.


Residents will be able to participate in projects within the Master Gardener's Program. They will gain knowledge in botany, disease, entomology, soil composition, etc., which they can use to educate others.

Initial Outcomes:

Understand the importance of sustainable local agriculture to their health and financial well-being.


Homeowners learn about different varieties and best management practices of fruit and vegetables.


Commercial growers learn about best management practices, new methods, and new technologies.


Residents will be able to participate in projects within the Master Gardener's Program will gain knowledge in botany, disease, entomology, soil composition, etc

Evaluation:

Initial Outcome: Individuals, homeowners, and commercial growers will gain knowledge about horticulture's role in their daily lives and economic endeavors.

Indicator: Number of individuals who report changes in knowledge, opinions, skills, and aspirations.

Method: Post-test

Timeline:End of program series.


Intermediate Outcome: Individuals, homeowners, and commercial growers will implement gained knowledge within their lifestyles, and economic endeavors.

Indicator: Number of people who implement at least one practice which was taught during any of the horticulture classes / series. 

Method: Follow up survey / interviews.

Timeline: Annually.


Long-term Outcome: Individuals, homeowners, and commercial growers will enjoy a healthier lifestyle, and sustainable profitability through education provided by UK Extension.

Indicator: Individuals enjoy a healthier & more self-sufficient lifestyle, while commercial growers will gain a more sustaining profit.

Method: Pre and post evaluation in addition to monitoring of health statistics & social economic indicators within Taylor County.  

Timeline: Beginning and end of program.

Learning Opportunities:

Audience: Commercial Vegetable Producers 

Project or Activity: Weekly or Bi-Weekly On-Farm Instruction: Insect Pests, Production & Disease 

Content or Curriculum: Vegetable Production Guide for Commercial Growers, UK Publications from: http://www.uky.edu/hort/documents-list-commercial-vegetable

Inputs: UK Specialists & Taylor Co. Horticulture Agent

Date: July-September 2022 - January-June 2023


Audience: Residents of Taylor and surrounding counties

Project or Activity: Master Gardener Program

Content or Curriculum: Master Gardener Program Manual

Inputs: UK Specialists, Additional Horticulture Agents, & Taylor Co. Horticulture Agent

Date: January-May 2023


Audience:  Adults at Campbellsville Housing

Project or Activity: Campbellsville Housing Horticulture Program

Content or Curriculum: Home Vegetable Gardening in Kentucky, & The Master Gardener's Handbook

Inputs:  Campbellsville Housing Event Coordinator & Taylor Co. Horticulture Agent

Date: July 2022 - June 2023 -  Adult & Children Classes 3rd Monday & 3rd Wednesday of every month


Audience: Residents of Taylor & Surrounding Counties

Project or Activity: Farmers' Market Health Fair, National Farmers' Market Week Celebration, Farmers' Market Fall Festival and other events at the Farmers' Market

Content or Curriculum: Home Vegetable Gardening in Kentucky & SNAP-ED Resources

Inputs:  Taylor County Health Department, Farmers' Market Association, Inc. of Taylor County,  and the Taylor Co. Cooperative Extension Office Agents.

Date: July 2022 - June 2023


Audience: The Healing Place

Project or Activity: Recovery Garden

Content or Curriculum: Home Vegetable Gardening in Kentucky

Inputs: The Healing Place, and the Taylor County Extension Office

Date:  September 2022 & March 2023


Audience: 9 - 18 year old youth

Project or Activity: 4-H Horticulture Judging Contest 

Content or Curriculum: NJHA Material, 4-H horticulture curriculum 

Inputs:  Local nurseries, grocery stores, producers, forestry specialists, & Taylor Co. Horticulture and 4-H Agent

Date: June - August 2022, 2023


Audience: Category 3 & 20 Commercial Applicator License Holders

Project or Activity: Tri-County Lawn Care CEU Course 

Content or Curriculum: University of Kentucky and surrounding states' publications

Inputs: UK Extension Specialists, KDA Inspectors, County Agents

Date: November 2022


Audience:  Commercial Vegetable Producers

Project or Activity:  Commercial Growers Yearly Workshop

Content or Curriculum: Vegetable Production Guide for Commercial Growers, UK Publications from: http://www.uky.edu/hort/documents-list-commercial-vegetable

Inputs: UK Specialists & Taylor Co. Horticulture Agent

Date: November 2022


Audience:  Adults and Youth at the Library

Project or Activity:  Both Adult Horticulture Monthly Programs and Summer Youth Horticulture Programs Covering a Vast Range of Topics

Content or Curriculum:  Home Vegetable Gardening in Kentucky and other University of Kentucky and other State Extension Publications

Inputs:  Taylor County Extension Office and Taylor County Library

Date:  July 2022 - June 2023


Audience:  4-H Youth

Project or Activity:  Monthly Horticulture Special Interest Group

Content or Curriculum: Junior Master Gardener Curriculum, U.K. 4-H Curriculum-Horticulture

Inputs:  Taylor County 4-H and Horticulture Agents, Master Gardeners

Date:  July 2022 - June 2023


Audience:  Residents of Taylor County

Project or Activity:  Monthly Busy Bloomers Garden Club

Content or Curriculum: University of Kentucky publications

Inputs: Garden Club Members and Horticulture Agent, Trips

Date: July 2022 - June 2023



Success Stories

4-H Junior Horticulture Team

Author: Kara Back-Campbell

Major Program: Agriculture

 The Taylor County 4-H horticulture team this year consisted of seven juniors and two seniors. This is the most 4-Hers Taylor County has had to participate locally and on the state level.  Seven practices were held over the summer. These practices were miniature versions of the state contest, consisting of judging produce and plants along with plant identification. Two participants went above and beyond by creating their own photo study book to assist them with preparation for the cont

Full Story

2023 Master Gardener Program

Author: Kara Back-Campbell

Major Program: Master Gardener

The 2023 Master Gardener Educational Program started on January 12th and concluded on May 4th. This program year the Horticulture Agent took the constructive criticism received from last year’s program to make improvements. The main concern was not enough hands-on activities. Within each class during the 2023 program, the Horticulture Agent focused more on activities than lectures. Lectures did occur, but it was drastically reduced in length from last year. The hands-on activities were pra

Full Story

Taylor Co. Fair Horticulture Entries

Author: Kara Back-Campbell

Major Program: Agriculture

The Taylor County Fair showed an increase in the 4-H Horticulture exhibits this year. Three project days were held during spring break and many of those projects returned to be judged at the fair. These projects consisted of terrariums, dish gardens, upcycle, container garden, herb garden, annual, and leaf collections. Last year there were 19 entries. This year there were 49 horticulture entries. After judging the entries were displayed along with the other 4-H fair entries in the 4-H building a

Full Story

Commercial Visits Tool

Author: Kara Back-Campbell

Major Program: Horticulture, Commercial

Insect and disease scouting was requested by commercial producers in Taylor County. The Horticulture Agent starts the weekly site visits in January and continues through October. These visits help improve the producers' harvest / sales by identifying insects and pests as soon as possible. A new tool has been developed for more efficiency on these site visits. The Taylor County Horticulture Agent last year used a receipt book to track insect counts on sticky cards and diseases found in local

Full Story
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